Russia is violating the UN ban on North Korean shipping

The Maritime Executive edition published an article “Russian Port Allows Banned North Korean Ship to Call” http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/exclusive-russian-port-hosts-banned-n-korean-ship, accusing Russia in violating UN ban.
…But AIS data shows that the sanctioned OMM general cargo vessel O Rang (alternate name Po Thong Gang, IMO 8829555) arrived on March 9 in the Russian port of Vostochny, a coal export facility near Nakhodka, and departed again at approximately 1300 UTC on March 11. Her recent entry, her two-day port call alongside one of the coal terminals at Vostochny, and her subsequent departure suggest that Russian authorities did not perform an “asset freeze” on the O Rang as required by the resolution.
At departure her AIS destination was listed as Dalian, China, but as of 1600 hours UTC March 11 she had altered course westward towards North Korea. Her continued transit on the new course would take her near the port of Chongjin.
Meanwhile, in Moscow, shortly before the O Rang’s unimpeded departure, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov implied that Russia would be tougher on the DPRK going forward. Lavrov said that “the world community's firm reaction [to North Korean nuclear and missile activity] will be interpreted by Pyongyang as a signal that there should be no such escapades in future . . . it should be clear in Pyongyang that no one is going to exonerate the DPRK for such escapades.”
Port authorities and ships agents in Vostochny and Nakhodka did not return repeated requests for comment, nor did Russian diplomatic contacts.
A Reuters report suggested that the banned vessel Hui Chon also called at Vostochny this week. However, South Korea’s Arirang News reports that the Hui Chon was denied entry to the Russian port following a request from the South Korean government.
…
The Maritime Executive investigation may be confirmed officially – according to Russian Ports official Ship Calls Log, O RANG did indeed, visit Vostochniy, arriving on Mar 9 and departing on Mar 11.
Moreover, Reuters allegation concerning another vessel, HUI CHON, is also true, according to Russian Ports official Ship Calls Log. Here’s the list of HUI CHON recent calls:
Vostochniy 05.03.2016 03:30 08.03.2016 04:45
Vostochniy 17.02.2016 22:45 20.02.2016 16:30
Vostochniy 07.02.2016 14:30 11.02.2016 04:50
Posyet 27.01.2016 03:30 30.01.2016 13:30
AIS records between port calls dates are absent. Most probably, vessel is deployed on a short leg between Russian and North Korean ports.
The meaning of it is simple. Publicly, Russia is accusing North Korean nuclear escapades, but covertly, Russia is supporting North Korea.
Voytenko Mikhail
Mar 12

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Mikhail Voytenko

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Mikhail is a professional merchant marine navigator by education and a well known maritime online journalist. He maintains the "Maritime Bulletin", a private maritime news and analysis website for many years now and frequently publishes on FleetMon.com as a guest editor.

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